The Hero of the Sea
The afternoon session of the hearing resumed, and the composition of the assemblymen had shifted. This was something she hadn't anticipated, though a quick glance at their faces suggested they were from the ruling party. As their eyes met, she offered a bright smile and a slight nod. He adjusted his posture and spoke, "Then, let us proceed."
The questions that followed were markedly different from the morning session. Since the committees were allocated based on a set ratio between the ruling and opposition parties, they were able to swap members, and thanks to this, he found himself fielding much more comfortable questions as he retraced the memories of that day.
"The waves were quite rough, and the swells were severe."
"How did you begin the operation?"
"While we were heading to the accident site on the tugboat, our secretary requested assistance from the telecommunications company to ensure phone lines and such were operational. After I and the field staff from Doowon Heavy Industries in Geoje arrived at the site, a small team of divers jumped into the water and attached lines to the vessel."
"Which side did you focus on? The materials here... could you show us on the PPT?"
"Um, yes. We started from the crack and proceeded horizontally, leaving one-meter intervals. We couldn't tie knots at every single section because the tugboat wasn't large enough, so that was unavoidable."
"Was it necessary to tie it with ropes? Since it was a tugboat..."
"The towing power of the tugboat we brought was significant, so there were no limitations on towing it alone. However, when our field workers and divers checked the proximity, there were many people inside, and in particular, the oil tanker's storage tanks were damaged, posing a risk of capsizing if we weren't careful."
"Ah... I see."
"Yes. So, we pushed the ship from the accident site while waiting for the pusher barge that had departed from Geoje. In the meantime, a passenger ship coming from Mokpo arrived faster, so we moved all the captains, helmsmen, and crew members onto that vessel."
"In the video, the ship keeps tilting... it looks quite unstable. It's remarkable that you prioritized saving people first."
"Well, I thought people were the priority, so I wanted to rescue them as quickly as possible. At the very end, it almost capsized, but because we were constantly pulling with ropes from below... we barely managed to hold on with twenty people and the harbor tugboat we brought."
To conduct an accurate investigation of the accident site, the ruling party assemblymen continued to request explanations while looking at the PPT materials, and he responded faithfully each time. Then, one of them remarked:
"Ah... I understand now."
"Yes. We called in an ocean-going tugboat, which didn't arrive until 3:00 AM, so we could only begin the salvage operation from then on. It was a process of pushing the accident vessel from one side while the pusher barge was attached to the stern, pulling it slowly... so it took more time. Oil kept leaking, so we blocked it with the waste tires we had, and the welding we did broke halfway through... if not for that, it might have been a bit better. Um."
"Still, you did a remarkable thing."
"Thank you."
Then, the topic shifted.
"Unlike others, er... haha, I don't mean to sound like I'm attacking you. We just need these details for our investigation."
"Please, go ahead."
"Most people would have turned a blind eye to an accident involving a company they have no relation to. Even supporting it with a crane would be considered a gesture of gratitude... I would like you to explain why you risked your own safety to jump into the scene and conduct rescue activities."
He looked away for a moment, pondering, before answering. "Well, honestly... I went because the sea was being polluted. I was sitting at home after work, and the scene of the accident just bothered me. I was resting comfortably at home, while those people were in a life-or-death situation, the ship kept tilting, and if they fell, it would be into oil-slicked water. It was just heartbreaking, so I went. I still cannot accept the criticism from earlier about me being 'emotionally biased' and doing something wrong, but I don't think I did anything exceptionally heroic, either."
The other assemblymen let out a hearty laugh upon hearing his words. They looked bewildered. They were likely thinking that if a National Assembly member had jumped in there, they would have milked the event for the rest of their lives.
"I would like to ask the Chairman here. Er... I apologize for making you attend the National Assembly during your busy, day-to-day industrial life."
"Not at all. Please, go ahead. I will answer to the best of my knowledge."
"Yes. Um, Chairman, did you think Witness Han Suhyun would go to the accident site?"
"No."
"Did you receive any separate reports..."
The Chairman cleared his throat before speaking. "As you know, he is my son, but I did not think he was the type to be proactive. I am still surprised that he went to the accident site alone without a word. At first, I heard a report thinking one of our affiliates had an accident in Incheon, but when I found out it wasn't, I was extremely flustered, and I still am. I know what you are curious about. I can tell you that there were no separate... instructions from above, or, er... any intention to create such an image."
The officials in charge were in the back, transcribing their conversation to compile the accident investigation report. They weren't the type of people who could be summoned elsewhere for questioning. In fact, his attendance at the National Assembly was something he could have ended simply by expressing his intent not to participate.
"Whew... I've never seen anything like this, so it's hard to believe..."
"Yes. I feel the same."
After that, they asked the other executives various questions, but they all gave the same answers: they didn't know, they weren't aware, and so on. It was the same for the assemblymen, and it was baffling for the people watching the broadcast as well. The Chairman's son had done something great, yet they truly claimed to know nothing, hadn't dipped their toes into anything, and still didn't know the details. They just kept repeating these things.
Anyone else in this situation would have used all sorts of exaggerations to say the situation was urgent, there was no time, or they jumped in to save lives. They would have phrased it more beautifully, like, 'Because the sea was being polluted...' or 'Aren't some people caught between life and death?'
Because of this, people completely redefined their perception of him, and the praise was unanimous. The President, watching the National Assembly broadcast, also had a satisfied expression.
"...Hmm."
Meanwhile, the President's Chief of Protocol knocked on the office door, and the President welcomed him in.
"Yes. Come in."
"Regarding the medal conferment you mentioned, it is judged that awarding the Order of National Security Merit rather than the Order of Industrial Service Merit would be more desirable."
"Ah, is that so?"
The Chief of Protocol, who believed that contributing to industrial development was sufficiently covered by simply showing up to work every day, added, "In fact, the Gold and Silver Towers of the Order of Industrial Service Merit are awarded every year, so their prestige has diminished somewhat."
"That is true."
"Yes. Last year, about 20 people were selected and awarded... so perhaps it would be better to award the Order of National Security Merit instead."
The Order of National Security Merit, which is usually awarded to those who have served long-term in the military, was a choice that seemed both fitting and unfitting given his actions. He wasn't a soldier defending the country, but that was precisely why it was even more fitting—it was a civilian who had defended the nation's seas. Furthermore, compared to soldiers who were posthumously awarded for losing their lives while rescuing others, he had saved a larger number of people while ensuring that both he and the staff he brought returned safely.
"That sounds fine. Proceed with that."
"We conducted a poll on the approval rating this morning, and a slight increase is expected to be an upward trend."
Saying this, the Chief of Protocol bowed respectfully and left the office.
"Everyone... please head home. Those who have remaining work, go back."
"Thank you for your hard work, Chairman."
"Oh, what's this? You've all been sitting here without being able to say a word, your legs must be numb. Get going."
After the hearing concluded on a warm note, they exchanged greetings and went their separate ways in their cars. However, there was one slight difference this time.
"...Is it really the smell of oil, like gasoline?"
"It's a bit... heavy. I'd call it a heavy smell."
"You worked hard. It was amazing."
"Oh, Hero. Let me shake your hand once."
"Haha, don't mention it..."
"I would have gone with you if you'd told me!"
"I think you would have been asleep. Hahat."
"To think our Suhyun would save people."
"Thank you for your hard work, Chief."
"If I were working in the Welfare and Culture Office, I would have given General Manager Han a week of vacation."
"Thank you for the thought, at least."
Everyone patted him on the shoulder, looking at him with pride as they boarded their cars. Feeling acknowledged, he evaluated himself as having overcome his past failures, and thinking that it was alright to feel a bit good, he grinned. As he turned his head slightly, he saw Eunbyul, who was rejoicing along with him.
"Let's go home quickly. Your cheeks are going to fly away."
"Be quiet."
"That's mean... aren't you going to buy me dinner?"
"Dinner?"
Hmm... I suppose I should eat dinner. If I go home feeling this good, it would be a waste of emotions.